Medical light source device and medical observation system

ABSTRACT

[Object] To provide a medical light source device and a medical observation system capable of switching a light source while suppressing an increase in size and complication of a device. 
     [Solution] A medical light source device according to the present disclosure includes: a plurality of light sources; and a light source switching section that holds an end section of a light guide that transmits light, and is capable of disposing the end section on one of optical paths of light emitted by the plurality of light sources.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/772,971, filed May 2, 2018, which is a National Stage Entry of PCTApplication No. PCT/JP2017/000644, filed Jan. 11, 2017, which claimspriority to Japan Application No. 2016-008082, filed Jan. 19, 2016, theentire contents of each are incorporated herein by its reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a medical light source device and amedical observation system.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, in a medical observation system that images an objectusing an image sensor and observes the object, a light source devicethat emits illumination light for illuminating an object has been used(for example, see Patent Literature 1). The light source devicedisclosed by Patent Literature 1 includes a main light source, anauxiliary light source, and a light guide, and when the main lightsource deteriorates and the amount of light becomes small, it can beswitched to the auxiliary light source. In the light source devicedisclosed by Patent Literature 1, an incident end of the light guide andthe main light source are fixed, and illumination light is switched tothe auxiliary light source by moving the auxiliary light source tobetween the incident end of the light guide and the main light source.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   Patent Literature 1: JP 2004-187986A

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

However, in the light source device disclosed by Patent Literature 1,the light source is switched by moving the auxiliary light source tobetween the incident end of the light guide and the main light source,which requires an actuator or the like for moving the auxiliary lightsource. This brings about a problem of an increase in size andcomplication of the light source device.

In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to providea medical light source device and a medical observation system capableof switching a light source while suppressing an increase in size andcomplication of a device.

Solution to Problem

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem and achieve the object, amedical light source device according to the present disclosureincludes: a plurality of light sources; and a light source switchingsection that holds an end section of a light guide that transmits light,and is capable of disposing the end section on one of optical paths oflight emitted by the plurality of light sources.

In addition, in the medical light source device according to the presentdisclosure, the plurality of light sources may include a main lightsource and an auxiliary light source.

In addition, in the medical light source device according to the presentdisclosure, the main light source and the auxiliary light source mayhave substantially a same maximum luminance.

In addition, in the medical light source device according to the presentdisclosure, the main light source and the auxiliary light source mayeach emit white light.

In addition, the medical light source device according to the presentdisclosure may further include a collimator lens that makes lightemitted by the light source into substantially parallel light. The lightsource switching section may include a condenser lens that condenses theparallel light on the end section of the light guide.

In addition, the medical light source device according to the presentdisclosure may further include a power supply section that supplieselectric power to the plurality of light sources. The main light sourceand the auxiliary light source may have different power supply systems.

In addition, the medical light source device according to the presentdisclosure may further include a heat sink that absorbs heat of theplurality of light sources.

In addition, a medical observation system according to the presentdisclosure includes: an imaging device that captures an enlarged imageof a minute area of an object and generates an imaging signal; a lightguide that transmits illumination light to the imaging device; and amedical light source device including a plurality of light sources thatemit the illumination light, and a light source switching section thatholds an incident end of the light guide, and disposes the incident endon one of optical paths of the illumination light emitted by theplurality of light sources, thereby switching the light source ofillumination light that enters the light guide.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present disclosure, an effect of being able to switch alight source while suppressing an increase in size and complication of adevice is obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an overall configuration of a surgicalmicroscope system, which is a medical observation system including amedical light source device, according to Embodiment 1 of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the lightsource device illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the lightsource device illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a lightsource device according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 1 of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a lightsource device according to Modification 2 of Embodiment 1 of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic configuration of an endoscope deviceaccording to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic configuration of an endoscope deviceaccording to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Modes for carrying out the present disclosure (hereinafter referred toas “embodiments”) are described below. The embodiments describe, asexamples of a medical observation system including a medical lightsource device according to the present disclosure, a surgical microscopesystem and an endoscope device that capture and display an image of theinterior of a subject such as a patient. In addition, these embodimentsdo not limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, in description of thedrawings, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numeral.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an overall configuration of a surgicalmicroscope system, which is a medical observation system including amedical light source device, according to Embodiment 1 of the presentdisclosure. The surgical microscope system according to the Embodiment 1captures an enlarged image of a predetermined field-of-view regionilluminated by illumination light, and displays the captured image.

A surgical microscope system 1 includes a microscope device 10, which isa medical imaging device that acquires an image for observing an objectby imaging, a light source device 11 (medical light source device) thatis installed on the microscope device 10 and emits illumination lightfor illuminating an object, and a display device 12 that displays animage captured by the microscope device 10. Note that the display device12 can be integrated with the microscope device 10. The display device12 displays an image acquired by the microscope device 10. The displaydevice 12 is preferably, but not limited to, one with a display sectionof 55 inches or more so that a sense of immersion is easily obtained inobservation.

The microscope device 10 includes a microscope section 101 that capturesan enlarged image of a minute area of an object, a support section 102including an arm that is connected to a base end section of themicroscope section 101 and supports the microscope section 101 so as toallow revolution, and a base section 103 that holds a base end sectionof the support section 102 so as to allow revolution and is movable onthe floor. The base section 103 includes a control section 103 a thatcontrols operation of the surgical microscope system 1. Note that thebase section 103 may be, instead of being provided on the floor to bemovable, configured to be fixed on the ceiling, a wall surface, or thelike to support the support section 102. In addition, the microscopedevice 10 applies illumination light emitted by the light source device11 to an object via a light guide (not illustrated). The microscopedevice 10 supplies externally supplied electric power to each sectionand the light source device 11.

The microscope section 101 is cylindrical, for example, and includes animaging section in its interior. A side surface of the microscopesection 101 is provided with a switch that accepts input of an operationinstruction for the microscope device 10. An aperture at a lower endsection of the microscope section 101 is provided with a cover glass toprotect in the interior (not illustrated).

Under the control of the control section 103 a, the imaging sectionimages an object. This imaging section includes an image sensor, such asa charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxidesemiconductor (CMOS), that receives an object image formed by an opticalsystem (not illustrated) and converts it into an electrical signal. Inthe case of the CCD, for example, a signal processing section (notillustrated) that performs signal processing (e.g. A/D conversion) on anelectrical signal (analog signal) from the image sensor and outputs animaging signal is mounted on a sensor chip or the like. In the case ofthe CMOS, for example, a signal processing section that performs signalprocessing (e.g. A/D conversion) on an electrical signal (analog)obtained by converting light and outputs an imaging signal is includedin the image sensor.

The microscope device 10 performs noise reduction, and signal processingsuch as A/D conversion as necessary, on an imaging signal output by themicroscope section 101 to generate a digitalized imaging signal (pulsesignal), and generates an image signal for display to be displayed bythe display device 12. The microscope device 10 performs predeterminedsignal processing on the imaging signal to generate an image signal fordisplay that includes an object image. Here, examples of imageprocessing include various types of image processing such asinterpolation processing, color correction processing, color enhancementprocessing, and edge enhancement processing.

In addition, the microscope device 10 generates a synchronization signalfor the microscope device 10, the light source device 11, and thedisplay device 12, and a clock. The synchronization signal (e.g., asynchronization signal indicating imaging timing by the microscopesection 101, or the like) and the clock (e.g., a clock for serialcommunication) are transmitted via lines (not illustrated), and themicroscope section 101 and the like are driven on the basis of thesynchronization signal and clock.

A user, such as a surgeon, moves the microscope section 101 and performszoom operation while operating various switches in a state of grippingthe microscope section 101. Note that the shape of the microscopesection 101 is preferably a slender shape extending in an observationdirection so that the user can easily grip the microscope section 101and change a field-of-view direction. Therefore, the shape of themicroscope section 101 may be a shape other than a cylinder, and may be,for example, a polygonal column.

The control section 103 a performs drive control over each constituentsection of the surgical microscope system 1, information input/outputcontrol over each constituent section, and the like. The control section103 a generates a control signal with reference to communicationinformation data (e.g., communication format information or the like)recorded in a memory, and sends the generated control signal to eachsection.

In addition, the control section 103 a outputs a control signal, such asan instruction to switch a light source or an instruction related to anamount of light, to the light source device 11.

Note that the control section 103 a is implemented by using ageneral-purpose processor such as a central processing unit (CPU)including an internal memory (not illustrated) on which a program isrecorded, or a dedicated processor such as various arithmetic circuitsthat execute a specific function such as an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC). In addition, the control section 103 a mayinclude a field programmable gate array (FPGA; not illustrated), whichis a type of programmable integrated circuit. Note that in the casewhere the control section 103 a includes a FPGA, a memory that storesconfiguration data may be provided, and the FPGA, which is aprogrammable integrated circuit, may be configured by usingconfiguration data read from the memory.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the lightsource device illustrated in FIG. 1, and illustrates a case where lightemitted by a first light source 112 serving as a main light source isemitted as illumination light. The light source device 11 detachablyholds one end of a light guide 13, and supplies white illumination lightfor illuminating the interior of a living body to the one end of thelight guide 13. An incident end 13 a of the light guide 13, which is theone end where illumination light enters, is detachably connected to thelight source device 11, and an emission end 13 b, which is the other endthat emits illumination light, is detachably connected to the microscopedevice 10. Thus, the light guide 13 transfers light supplied from thelight source device 11 from the one end to the other end, and suppliesillumination light to the microscope device 10 via the emission end 13b. The microscope device 10 emits illumination light supplied via thelight guide 13 from the microscope section 101 to illuminate a subject.

The light source device 11 includes a heat sink 111, the first lightsource 112, a second light source 113, a first fan 114, a second fan115, a power supply section 116, a power supply control section 117, anda light source switching section 118. In the Embodiment 1, the powersupply section 116, the power supply control section 117, and the lightsource switching section 118 constitute a light source switching means.

The heat sink 111 includes, for example, plate-like members formed usinga material with high heat transfer characteristics stacked atpredetermined intervals. The heat sink 111 is not limited to thisconfiguration, as long as it has a large surface area and high heatdissipation characteristics. For example, the heat sink 111 may be aplurality of rod-like members provided to stand, or may have a bellowsshape.

The first light source 112 is a main light source that is mainly used,and is implemented by using a high-luminance light emitting diode (LED)package that emits white light. The first light source 112 is caused toemit illumination light by electric power supplied from the power supplysection 116.

The first light source 112 is provided with a first collimator lens 112a on an optical path N1 of illumination light emitted by the first lightsource 112. The first collimator lens 112 a is disposed in a manner thatits own focus position is located on a light-emitting surface of thefirst light source 112, and converts illumination light emitted by thefirst light source 112 into parallel light.

The second light source 113 is an auxiliary light source that is used inthe case where the main light source is unavailable, and is implementedby using a high-luminance LED package that emits white light. The secondlight source 113 is caused to emit illumination light by electric powersupplied from the power supply section 116. In the Embodiment 1,description is given assuming that the first light source 112 and thesecond light source 113 are high-luminance LED packages of the sametype, for example, having the same maximum luminance. Note that ahalogen lamp or a xenon lamp may be used as the light source, and thefirst light source 112 and the second light source 113 may be differenttypes of light sources. In addition, in the Embodiment 1, the firstlight source 112 and the second light source 113 may have substantiallythe same maximum luminance, for example, when one has a luminance of 1,the other may have a luminance of approximately 0.9 to 1.1.

The second light source 113 is provided with a second collimator lens113 a on an optical path N2 of illumination light emitted by the secondlight source 113. The second collimator lens 113 a is disposed in amanner that its own focus position is located on a light-emittingsurface of the second light source 113, and converts illumination lightemitted by the second light source 113 into parallel light.

The first light source 112 and the second light source 113 are arrangedside by side with respect to the heat sink 111. In addition, the firstlight source 112 and the second light source 113 are fixed to bethermally connected to a surface of the heat sink 111. Specifically, thefirst light source 112 and the second light source 113 may be fixed tothe heat sink 111 via a sheet-like member with high thermalconductivity, such as graphite, or thermal conduction grease, or may bedirectly fixed to the surface of the heat sink 111.

The first fan 114 is provided on the first light source 112 side of theheat sink 111. The first fan 114 is rotated by electric power suppliedfrom the power supply section 116, thereby playing an auxiliary role ofreleasing heat of the heat sink 111 to the exterior.

The second fan 115 is provided on the second light source 113 side ofthe heat sink 111. The second fan 115 is rotated by electric powersupplied from the power supply section 116, thereby playing an auxiliaryrole of releasing heat of the heat sink 111 to the exterior.

The power supply section 116 supplies electric power supplied from themicroscope device 10 to the first light source 112 and the first fan114, or the second light source 113 and the second fan 115. Under thecontrol of the power supply control section 117, the power supplysection 116 selects a member to which electric power is to be supplied,and also supplies electric power corresponding to a control signal,thereby adjusting the amount of light of the light source.

The power supply control section 117 selects a member (the first lightsource 112 and the first fan 114, or the second light source 113 and thesecond fan 115) to which electric power is to be supplied by the powersupply section 116 according to detection results of a first detectionsensor 119A and a second detection sensor 119B described later, and alsoinputs a control signal for adjusting electric power to be supplied tothe light source to the power supply section 116, in accordance with acontrol signal input from the microscope device 10 (the control section103 a).

The light source switching section 118 detachably holds the incident end13 a of the light guide 13, and is provided to be movable to one of aposition (e.g., a first position) of illumination light emitted by thefirst light source 112 on the optical path N1 and a position (e.g., asecond position) of illumination light emitted by the second lightsource 113 on the optical path N2. A movement mechanism that moves thelight source switching section 118 is implemented by using a mechanismthat causes sliding using a linear guide or a mechanism that causesmovement of a position by rotation. In addition, the light sourceswitching section 118 is configured to be positionable and movable by aclick mechanism, urging force of a spring, or the like, and is disposedat one of on the optical path N1 of illumination light emitted by thefirst light source 112 and on the optical path N2 of illumination lightemitted by the second light source 113. Movement of the light sourceswitching section 118 switches illumination light to enter the lightguide 13.

The light source switching section 118 is provided with a condenser lens118 a that condenses parallel light generated by the first collimatorlens 112 a or the second collimator lens 113 a on the incident end 13 aof the light guide 13. That is, the light source switching section 118moves the condenser lens 118 a and the incident end 13 a by its ownmovement to switch parallel light (illumination light) to be condensedby the condenser lens 118 a.

The first detection sensor 119A and the second detection sensor 119B areimplemented by using, for example, a photo-interrupter or a proximitysensor, and input a detection signal to the power supply control section117 in the case where the light source switching section 118 comesclose. The first detection sensor 119A is disposed at a position suchthat the first detection sensor 119A is close to the light sourceswitching section 118 and generates a detection signal in the case wherethe light source switching section 118 is located at the first position.In addition, the second detection sensor 119B is disposed at a positionsuch that the second detection sensor 119B is close to the light sourceswitching section 118 and generates a detection signal in the case wherethe light source switching section 118 is located at the secondposition.

The power supply control section 117 determines a position of the lightsource switching section 118 on the basis of a detection signal that isinput, and selects light sources to be turned on and turned off and fansto be driven and stopped by supply from the power supply section 116.Note that the power supply control section 117 may control on and off ofthe light source as an analog circuit.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the lightsource device illustrated in FIG. 1, and illustrates a case where lightemitted by the second light source 113 serving as an auxiliary lightsource is emitted as illumination light. When the light source switchingsection 118 is moved from the state where illumination light emitted bythe first light source 112 enters as illustrated in FIG. 2, the state isswitched to a state where illumination light emitted by the second lightsource 113 enters as illustrated in FIG. 3. This movement operation ofthe light source switching section 118 can be implemented by moving alever 100 (see FIG. 1), for example. Note that movement of the lightsource switching section 118 may be controlled by the control section103 a or the power supply control section 117.

When the light source switching section 118 moves, a detection signal isinput to the power supply control section 117 by a detection sensor, andunder the control of the power supply control section 117, electricpower to be supplied from the power supply section 116 is changed, and alight source to emit illumination light and a fan to be driven areswitched. Specifically, in the case of transition to the state of FIG.3, the state of FIG. 2 in which illumination light is emitted from thefirst light source 112 and the first fan 114 is driven is switched tothe state of FIG. 3 in which illumination light is emitted from thesecond light source 113 and the second fan 115 is driven. Note that inthe case where one light source is emitting light, the other lightsource is off.

According to the above-described Embodiment 1, in a configuration inwhich a light source of illumination light is switched by causingillumination light emitted by one light source, of illumination lightemitted from two light sources, to enter the incident end 13 a of thelight guide 13, the light source switching section 118 that holds theincident end 13 a of the light guide 13 and includes the condenser lens118 a is moved to switch illumination light to be caused to enter theincident end 13 a; thus, it is possible to switch a light source whilesuppressing an increase in size and complication of a device, ascompared with a configuration in which a light source is moved by anactuator or the like as in a conventional configuration.

In addition, according to the above-described Embodiment 1, the lightsource switching section 118 is moved with the lever 100 or the like toswitch illumination light; thus, illumination light can be switchedfurther easily.

In the surgical microscope system 1 according to the Embodiment 1, inthe case where illumination light provided by the first light source 112becomes unavailable during surgery, for example, a surgeon, such as adoctor or a nurse, switches the light source switching section 118 fromthe first position to the second position. Possible reasons forillumination light provided by the first light source 112 becomingunavailable are deterioration, failure, and the like of the lightsource. When the light source switching section 118 is moved from thefirst position to the second position, electric power supply to thefirst light source 112 by the power supply section 116 is shut off.Instead, the second fan 115 rotates and the second light source 113 isturned on. Illumination light from the second light source 113 is causedto enter the incident end 13 a of the light guide 13 by the secondcollimator lens 113 a and the condenser lens 118 a. In this manner, alight source of the same type as the first light source 112 that isnormally used is installed as the second light source 113 for backup;thus, the same amount of light as that of the main light source can beoutput when the light source is switched to the backup light source.Consequently, even if the light source is switched to the backup lightsource during surgery, surgery can be continued under the samebrightness and/or color as that of the main light source.

In addition, according to the above-described Embodiment 1, using thesame high-luminance LED package for the first light source 112 and thesecond light source 113 makes conditions of light-emitting surfaces thesame, so that commonality of specifications of the first collimator lens112 a and the second collimator lens 113 a can be provided, which cansimplify design and procurement.

In addition, according to the above-described Embodiment 1, fixing thefirst light source 112 and the second light source 113 to the commonheat sink 111 can reduce the size of the light source device 11.Assuming that the first light source 112 and the second light source 113are not on simultaneously, a volume of the heat sink 111 needed forcooling may be any size that is sufficient for cooling heat of the lightsource when the first light source 112 or the second light source 113alone is on. In contrast, in the case where the first light source 112and the second light source 113 are fixed to separate heat sinks, eachof them requires a size for cooling heat, which makes the light sourcedevice itself large.

In addition, according to the above-described Embodiment 1, if alight-emitting surface size of the high-luminance LED package used forthe first light source 112 and the second light source 113 issubstantially the same as an effective diameter size of the incident end13 a of the light guide 13, commonality of specifications of the firstcollimator lens 112 a, the second collimator lens 113 a, and thecondenser lens 118 a can be provided. By thus providing commonality ofparts, labor saving in design and a reduction in cost of parts can beachieved.

Note that although the above-described Embodiment 1 gives descriptionassuming that light control is performed by a control signal from thecontrol section 103 a, the light source device 11 may be provided withan adjustment knob, and light control of the light source may beperformed by operating the adjustment knob.

In addition, although the above-described Embodiment 1 gives descriptionassuming that one power supply section 116 supplies electric power tothe first light source 112, the second light source 113, the first fan114, and the second fan 115, there may be provided a power supplysection that supplies electric power to the first light source 112 andthe first fan 114, and a power supply section that supplies electricpower to the second light source 113 and the second fan 115, forexample.

In addition, although the above-described Embodiment 1 gives descriptionassuming that the light source switching section 118 includes thecondenser lens 118 a and holds the incident end 13 a, the condenser lens118 a may be provided outside the light source switching section 118,and the light source switching section 118 may hold only the incidentend 13 a and move only the incident end 13 a. In this case, a condenserlens is provided for each of the first collimator lens 112 a and thesecond collimator lens 113 a.

In addition, although the above-described Embodiment 1 gives descriptionassuming that the light source switching section 118 is moved with thelever 100 or the like to switch the light source, an amount ofillumination light that enters the light guide 13 may be detected, andthe light source switching section 118 may be moved to switch the lightsource in the case where the amount of light is smaller than apredetermined amount of light. In addition, a notification may be issuedby sound, light, an image, or the like when the light source isswitched.

(Modification 1 of Embodiment 1)

Now, Modification 1 of Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure will bedescribed. Although the above-described Embodiment 1 gives descriptionassuming that the main light source is one light source, i.e., the firstlight source 112, a plurality of light sources are provided as the mainlight sources in the Modification 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagramillustrating a configuration of a light source device according toModification 1 of Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, as seen fromthe first fan 114 side in a movement direction of the light sourceswitching section 118. That is, the second light source 113 and the likeare present in a depth direction orthogonal to the page of FIG. 4. Notethat the same configuration as that described above is denoted by thesame reference numeral for description.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a light source device 11 a according to theModification 1 includes, as main light sources, a first main lightsource section 110 including the heat sink 111, the first light source112 (referred to as the first main light source 112 in the Modification1), and the first fan 114 described above, a second main light sourcesection 120 including a second heat sink 121, a second main light source122, and a third fan 123, and a third main light source section 130including a third heat sink 131, a third main light source 132, and afourth fan 133. In the Modification 1, the light source device 11 aadditionally includes the configuration according to the above-describedEmbodiment 1, for example, the second light source 113, the power supplysection 116, the power supply control section 117, and the light sourceswitching section 118.

The second main light source 122 is implemented by using ahigh-luminance LED package that emits light of a near infraredwavelength band (e.g., 700 nm to 800 nm). The second main light source122 is caused to emit illumination light by electric power supplied fromthe power supply section 116. The second main light source 122 isprovided with a third collimator lens 122 a on an optical path ofillumination light emitted by the second main light source 122.

The third main light source 132 is implemented by using a high-luminanceLED package that emits light of a wavelength band including ultravioletand part of purple (e.g., 390 nm to 470 nm). The third main light source132 is caused to emit illumination light by electric power supplied fromthe power supply section 116. The third main light source 132 isprovided with a fourth collimator lens 132 a on an optical path ofillumination light emitted by the third main light source 132.

In addition, the light source device 11 a includes a mirror 141 and adichroic mirror 142. The mirror 141 is rotatable about a rotation shaft141 a, and is provided to be able to be inserted and removed into/froman optical path of illumination light of the first main light source112. The dichroic mirror 142 is rotatable about a rotation shaft 142 a,and is provided to be able to be inserted and removed into/from theoptical path of illumination light of the first main light source 112.The dichroic mirror 142 transmits light of a partial wavelength band(narrow band: 530 nm to 550 nm) of a green wavelength band, and reflectslight of a wavelength band other than this.

In accordance with a control signal from the control section 103 a, thepower supply control section 117 selects the main light source sectionto be driven and causes the power supply section 116 to supply electricpower, and also controls driving of the mirror 141 or the dichroicmirror 142. An example of input timing of the control signal is a timingat which an observation mode is changed by switching of a filter in themicroscope section 101, or the like.

For example, in the case where the power supply section 116 drives thesecond main light source section 120, near infrared light is emittedfrom the second main light source 122 and the third fan 123 is driven,and also, the power supply control section 117 performs control toinsert the mirror 141 into the optical path of illumination light of thefirst main light source 112. Thus, the mirror 141 can cause infraredlight to travel along the optical path N1 and reflect it toward thelight source switching section 118 to cause the near infrared light toenter the incident end 13 a.

In addition, in the case of causing the light source device 11 a to emitnarrow-band light to perform narrow-band light observation using themicroscope device 10, the power supply section 116 drives the first mainlight source section 110 and the third main light source section 130, sothat light is emitted from the first main light source 112 and the thirdmain light source 132, and the first fan 114 and the third fan 123 aredriven, and also, the power supply control section 117 performs controlto insert the dichroic mirror 142 into the optical path of illuminationlight of the first main light source 112. Thus, the dichroic mirror 142can transmit narrow-band light of 530 nm to 550 nm and reflect light ofa wavelength band of 390 nm to 470 nm, to cause light (narrow-bandlight) of wavelength bands of 390 nm to 470 nm and 530 nm to 550 nm totravel along the optical path N1 to enter the light source switchingsection 118 (the incident end 13 a).

In addition, in the case of causing white light provided by the firstmain light source 112 to enter the light source switching section 118,the mirror 141 and the dichroic mirror 142 may be caused to retreat fromthe optical path of illumination light of the first main light source112, and the first main light source 112 may be caused to emit whitelight.

According to the Modification 1, an effect similar to that of theabove-described Embodiment 1 can be obtained, and also, a wavelengthband of illumination light to be emitted can be switched selectively inthe main light source.

(Modification 2 of Embodiment 1)

Next, Modification 2 of Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure will bedescribed. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration ofa light source device according to Modification 2 of Embodiment 1 of thepresent disclosure. Note that the same configuration as that describedabove is denoted by the same reference numeral for description. Althoughthe above-described Modification 1 gives description assuming that theplurality of light sources serving as the main light sources arearranged in a direction different from the movement direction of thelight source switching section 118, in the Modification 2, the pluralityof light sources (the first main light source 112 and the second mainlight source 122 in the Modification 2) serving as the main lightsources are arranged along the movement direction of the light sourceswitching section 118.

A light source device 11 b according to the Modification 2 includes, inaddition to the configuration of the light source device 11 according tothe above-described Embodiment 1, the second main light source 122, thethird collimator lens 122 a, and a third detection sensor 119C. Notethat also in the Modification 2, the first light source 112 is describedas the first main light source 112.

The second main light source 122 is between the first main light source112 and the second light source 113, side by side along the movementdirection of the light source switching section 118. The thirdcollimator lens 122 a is provided on an optical path N3 of illuminationlight emitted by the second main light source 122. The third collimatorlens 122 a is disposed in a manner that its own focus position islocated on a light-emitting surface of the second main light source 122,and converts illumination light emitted by the second main light source122 into parallel light.

The third detection sensor 119C is implemented by using, for example, aphoto-interrupter or a proximity sensor, and inputs a detection signalto the power supply control section 117 in the case where the lightsource switching section 118 comes close. The third detection sensor119C is disposed at a position such that the third detection sensor 119Cis close to the light source switching section 118 and generates adetection signal in the case where the light source switching section118 is located at a position (third position) that is an intermediateposition between the first position and the second position and is on anoptical path of illumination light emitted by the second main lightsource 122.

The light source switching section 118 is disposed at one of the firstposition, the second position, and the third position. Also in theModification 2, movement of the light source switching section 118switches illumination light that enters the light guide 13 toillumination light emitted by one of the first main light source 112,the second main light source 122, and the second light source 113.

According to the Modification 2, an effect similar to that of theabove-described Embodiment 1 can be obtained, and also, a wavelengthband of illumination light to be emitted can be switched selectively inthe main light source only by moving the light source switching section118.

In addition, according to the Modification 2, an effect similar to thatof the above-described Embodiment 1 can be obtained, and also, the heatsink 111 holding the first main light source 112 and the second lightsource 113 further holds the second main light source 122; thus, thereis no need to additionally provide a heat sink, and the light sourcedevice 11 b can be reduced in size as compared with Modification 1.

Embodiment 2

Now, Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 6illustrates a schematic configuration of an endoscope system accordingto Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. An endoscope system 2(medical observation system) illustrated in FIG. 6 is a device that isused in the medical field, and observes an object inside (the interiorof a living body) an observation target such as a person. As illustratedin FIG. 6, this endoscope system 2 includes an endoscope 21, an imagingdevice 22, a display device 23, a control device 24 (image processingdevice), and a light source device 25 (medical light source device), andthe imaging device 22 and the control device 24 constitute a medicalimage acquisition system. Note that in the Embodiment 2, the endoscope21 and the imaging device 22 constitute an endoscope device using arigid scope.

One end of a light guide 26 is connected to the endoscope 21, and thelight source device 25 supplies illumination light for illuminating theinterior of the living body to one end of the light guide 26. The lightsource device 25 includes the heat sink 111, the first light source 112,the second light source 113, the first fan 114, the second fan 115, thepower supply section 116, the power supply control section 117, and thelight source switching section 118 in the configuration of the lightsource device 11 of the above-described Embodiment 1, and also includesthe light guide 26 in place of the light guide 13. Therefore, the lightsource device 25 has a configuration in which a light source ofillumination light is switched by causing illumination light emitted byone light source, of illumination light emitted from two light sources,to enter an incident end of the light guide 26, and the light sourceswitching section 118 that holds the incident end of the light guide 26and includes the condenser lens 118 a, which condenses illuminationlight on this light guide 26, can be moved to switch illumination lightto be caused to enter the incident end. Note that the movement of thelight source switching section 118 may be performed manually, or may beperformed automatically under the control of the control device 24.

The light guide 26 is equivalent to the light guide 13 of theabove-described Embodiment 1; one end is detachably connected to thelight source device 25, and the other end is detachably connected to theendoscope 21. Thus, the light guide 26 transfers light supplied from thelight source device 25 from the one end to the other end, and suppliesit to the endoscope 21.

The imaging device 22 images an object image from the endoscope 21, andoutputs a result of the imaging. As illustrated in FIG. 6, this imagingdevice 22 includes a transmission cable 27 serving as a signaltransmission section and a camera head 28. In the Embodiment 2, thetransmission cable 27 and the camera head 28 constitute a medicalimaging device.

The endoscope 21, which is hard and has a slender shape, is insertedinto the living body. Inside this endoscope 21 is provided an opticalsystem that includes one or a plurality of lenses and condenses anobject image. The endoscope 21 emits light supplied via the light guide26 from a front end to apply it to the interior of the living body.Then, light applied to the interior of the living body (object image) iscondensed by the optical system in the endoscope 21.

The camera head 28 is detachably connected to a base end of theendoscope 21. Thus, under the control of the control device 24, thecamera head 28 images an object image condensed in the endoscope 21, andoutputs an imaging signal obtained by the imaging.

One end of the transmission cable 27 is detachably connected to thecontrol device 24 via a connector, and the other end is detachablyconnected to the camera head 28 via a connector. Specifically, thetransmission cable 27 is a cable in which a plurality of electricwirings (not illustrated) are arranged inside an outer sheath, which isthe outermost layer. The plurality of electric wirings are electricwirings for transmitting an imaging signal output from the camera head28, and a control signal, a synchronization signal, a clock, andelectric power output from the control device 24 to the camera head 28.

Under the control of the control device 24, the display device 23displays an image generated by the control device 24. The display device23 is preferably, but not limited to, one with a display section of 55inches or more so that a sense of immersion is easily obtained inobservation.

The control device 24 processes an imaging signal input from the camerahead 28 via the transmission cable 27, and outputs an image signal tothe display device 23, and also controls overall operation of the camerahead 28 and the display device 23.

Also in the endoscope system 2 according to the Embodiment 2, movementof the light source switching section 118 switches illumination lightthat enters the light guide 26 to illumination light emitted by one ofthe first light source 112 and the second light source 113.

According to the above-described Embodiment 2, in the light sourcedevice 25 having a configuration in which a light source of illuminationlight is switched by causing illumination light emitted by one lightsource, of illumination light emitted from two light sources, to enteran end section (incident end) of the light guide 26, the light sourceswitching section 118 that holds the end section of the light guide 26and includes the condenser lens 118 a is moved to switch illuminationlight to be caused to enter the end section of the light guide 26; thus,it is possible to switch a light source while suppressing an increase insize and complication of a device, as compared with a configuration inwhich a light source is moved by an actuator or the like as in aconventional configuration.

Embodiment 3

Now, Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 7illustrates a schematic configuration of an endoscope system accordingto Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. Although the above-describedEmbodiment 2 describes the endoscope system 2 using a rigid scope as theendoscope 21, without limitation to this, an endoscope device using aflexible scope as an endoscope may be configured. The Embodiment 3describes an example in the case where an imaging section is provided ata front end of an insertion section of a flexible endoscope.

An endoscope system 3 (medical observation system) includes an endoscope30 (imaging device) that captures an internal image of an observationarea by inserting an insertion section 301 into a subject and generatesan electrical signal, a light source device 31 (medical light sourcedevice) that produces illumination light to be emitted from a front endof the endoscope 30, a control device 32 that performs predeterminedimage processing on an electrical signal acquired by the endoscope 30and also controls overall operation of the entire endoscope system 3,and a display device 33 that displays an internal image subjected toimage processing by the control device 32. By insertion of the insertionsection 301 into a subject such as a patient, the endoscope system 3acquires an internal image of the interior of the subject.

The endoscope 30 includes the insertion section 301 with a slender shapeand flexibility, an operation section 302 that is connected to a baseend side of the insertion section 301 and accepts input of variousoperation signals, and a universal cord 303 that extends in a directiondifferent from a direction in which the insertion section 301 extendsfrom the operation section 302 and includes various cables that areconnected to the light source device 31 and the control device 32. Theuniversal cord 303 includes a light guide that supplies illuminationlight from the light source device 31 to the endoscope 30.

The insertion section 301 includes a front end section 304 including animaging section that captures an image of an object, a bendable bendingsection 305 including a plurality of bending pieces, and a long-lengthflexible tube section 306 with flexibility that is connected to a baseend side of the bending section 305.

One end of the light guide is connected to the endoscope 30 by theuniversal cord 303, and the light source device 31 supplies illuminationlight for illuminating the interior of the living body to one end of thelight guide. The light source device 31 includes the heat sink 111, thefirst light source 112, the second light source 113, the first fan 114,the second fan 115, the power supply section 116, the power supplycontrol section 117, and the light source switching section 118 in theconfiguration of the light source device 11 of the above-describedEmbodiment 1, and also, the light guide 13 is provided in the universalcord 303. Therefore, the light source device 31 has a configuration inwhich a light source of illumination light is switched by causingillumination light emitted by one light source, of illumination lightemitted from two light sources, to enter the incident end 13 a of thelight guide 13, and the light source switching section 118 that holdsthe incident end 13 a of the light guide 13 and includes the condenserlens 118 a can be moved to switch illumination light to be caused toenter the incident end 13 a. Note that the movement of the light sourceswitching section 118 may be performed manually, or may be performedautomatically under the control of the control device 32. In addition,although description is given assuming that the light guide 13 isprovided from the light source device 31 up to the universal cord 303, alight guide of the light source device 31 and a light guide of theuniversal cord 303 may be separately provided. For example, thefollowing configuration may be adopted: the light guide 13 is providedin the light source device 31, and when the universal cord 303 isconnected, an emission end of this light guide 13 faces or is connectedto an incident end of a light guide that is inserted into the universalcord 303, so that illumination light can be suppled into the universalcord 303 from the light source device 31.

The light guide is equivalent to the light guide 13 of theabove-described Embodiment 1; one end is detachably connected to thelight source device 31, and the other end is detachably connected to theendoscope 30. Thus, the light guide transfers light supplied from thelight source device 31 from the one end to the other end, and suppliesit to the endoscope 30.

Also in the endoscope system 3 according to the Embodiment 3, movementof the light source switching section 118 switches illumination lightthat enters the light guide to illumination light emitted by one of thefirst light source 112 and the second light source 113.

According to the above-described Embodiment 3, in the light sourcedevice 31 having a configuration in which a light source of illuminationlight is switched by causing illumination light emitted by one lightsource, of illumination light emitted from two light sources, to enteran end section (incident end) of the light guide, the light sourceswitching section 118 that holds the end section of the light guide andincludes the condenser lens 118 a is moved to switch illumination lightto be caused to enter the end section of the light guide; thus, it ispossible to switch a light source while suppressing an increase in sizeand complication of a device, as compared with a configuration in whicha light source is moved by an actuator or the like as in a conventionalconfiguration.

As described above, a medical light source device and a medicalobservation system according to the present disclosure are useful forswitching a light source while suppressing an increase in size andcomplication of a device.

Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below.

(1)

A medical light source device including:

a plurality of light sources; and

a light source switching section that holds an end section of a lightguide that transmits light, and is capable of disposing the end sectionon one of optical paths of light emitted by the plurality of lightsources.

(2)

The medical light source device according to (1), in which the pluralityof light sources include a main light source and an auxiliary lightsource.

(3)

The medical light source device according to (2), in which the mainlight source and the auxiliary light source have substantially a samemaximum luminance.

(4)

The medical light source device according to (3), in which the mainlight source and the auxiliary light source each emit white light.

(5)

The medical light source device according to any one of (1) to (4),further including

a collimator lens that makes light emitted by the light source intosubstantially parallel light,

in which the light source switching section includes a condenser lensthat condenses the parallel light on the end section of the light guide.

(6)

The medical light source device according to (2), further including

a power supply section that supplies electric power to the plurality oflight sources,

in which the main light source and the auxiliary light source havedifferent power supply systems.

(7)

The medical light source device according to any one of (1) to (6),further including

a heat sink that absorbs heat of the plurality of light sources.

(8)

A medical observation system including:

an imaging device that captures an enlarged image of a minute area of anobject and generates an imaging signal;

a light guide that transmits illumination light to the imaging device;and

a medical light source device including

-   -   a plurality of light sources that emit the illumination light,        and    -   a light source switching section that holds an incident end of        the light guide, and disposes the incident end on one of optical        paths of the illumination light emitted by the plurality of        light sources, thereby switching the light source of        illumination light that enters the light guide.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1 surgical microscope system-   2, 3 endoscope system-   10 microscope device-   11, 25, 31 light source device-   12, 23, 33 display device-   13, 26 light guide-   13 a incident end-   13 b emission end-   21, 30 endoscope-   22 imaging device-   24, 32 control device-   27 transmission cable-   28 camera head-   101 microscope section-   102 support section-   103 base section-   103 a control section-   110 first main light source section-   111 heat sink-   112 first light source (first main light source)-   112 a first collimator lens-   113 second light source-   113 a second collimator lens-   114 first fan-   115 second fan-   116 power supply section-   117 power supply control section-   118 light source switching section-   118 a condenser lens-   119A first detection sensor-   119B second detection sensor-   119C third detection sensor-   120 second main light source section-   121 second heat sink-   122 second main light source-   122 a third collimator lens-   123 third fan-   130 third main light source section-   131 third heat sink-   132 third main light source-   132 a fourth collimator lens-   133 fourth fan

1. A medical light source device comprising: a plurality of lightsources including a first light source, a second light source, and athird light source; a first mirror to direct light emitted by the secondlight source to an end of a light guide; and a second mirror that ismovable and, when inserted into an optical path of the first lightsource, directs light emitted by the third light source to the end ofthe light guide.
 2. The medical light source device according to claim1, wherein the first light source emits white light.
 3. The medicallight source device according to claim 1, wherein the second lightsource emits near infrared light.
 4. The medical light source deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the third light source emits ultravioletlight.
 5. The medical light source device according to claim 1, whereinthe first mirror is movable in and out of an optical path of the firstlight source.
 6. The medical light source device according to claim 1,wherein the second mirror is a dichroic mirror.
 7. The medical lightsource device according to claim 1, wherein the second mirror rotatablearound a rotation axis to be inserted into and removed from the opticalpath of the third light source.
 8. The medical light source deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the second light source and the thirdlight source face each other.
 9. The medical light source deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein, on condition that the first light sourceemits light, the second mirror is removed from the optical path of thefirst light source.
 10. The medical light source device according toclaim 1, wherein the second mirror transmits a portion of light emittedby the first light source.
 11. The medical light source device accordingto claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third light sources havedifferent power supplies.
 12. The medical light source device accordingto claim 1, further comprising: a control circuitry that selects one ofthe plurality of light sources; and a power supply circuitry thatsupplies electric power to only one of the plurality of light sources,which is the selected one of the plurality of light sources selected bythe control circuit.
 13. The medical light source device according toclaim 1, further comprising a collimator lens for each of the pluralityof light sources.
 14. A medical observation system comprising: camerathat captures an enlarged image of a minute area of an object andgenerates an imaging signal; a light guide that transmits illuminationlight to the camera; and a medical light source device including: aplurality of light sources including a first light source, a secondlight source, and a third light source; a first mirror to direct lightemitted by the second light source to an end of the light guide; and asecond mirror that is movable and, when inserted into an optical path ofthe first light source, directs light emitted by the third light sourceto the end of the light guide.
 15. The medical observation systemaccording to claim 14, wherein the first mirror is movable in and out ofan optical path of the second light source.
 16. The medical observationsystem according to claim 14, wherein, the second mirror transmits aportion of light emitted by the first light source.
 17. A method fordirecting light onto a light guide for use with a medical observationsystem, the method comprising: directing light output from at least oneof a first light source, a second light source, and a third light sourceto an end of a light guide; on condition that light from the secondlight source is be directed to the end of the light guide, inserting afirst mirror into an optical path of the first light source; and oncondition that light from the third light source is be directed to theend of the light guide, inserting a second mirror into an optical pathof the first light source.
 18. The method according to claim 17, whereinthe second mirror transmits a portion of light emitted by the firstlight source.
 19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising:supplying power only to a selected one of the first light source, thesecond light source, and the third light source.
 20. The methodaccording to claim 17, wherein, on condition that the first light sourceemits light, removing the second mirror from the optical path of thefirst light source.